Issued by: Nampak Products Ltd


The theme for the day was “Back with a Vengeance”. Using the 1985 movie blockbuster - “Back to the Future” - as a basis, the company created a film set environment with the Roodekop plant as the backdrop. In true Hollywood style, customers, escorted by company managers and members of the Nampak group executive committee, arrived at the spruced up site in stretch limousines. They walked down a red carpet where they were greeted by enthusiastic fans. Among the fans were company employees, dressed in bright red T-shirts, branded with the insignia of “Nampak Wiegand Glass Studios” and emblazoned with the mission: “Back with a Vengeance”.

At the end of the red carpet, guests watched the filming of a scene from the mock movie. Actors assumed the roles of lead “Back to the Future” characters, Marty McFly and Dr Emmett Brown. Adapting the popular storyline, which involves Marty travelling back in time thanks to a contraption made by Doc, the characters engaged in a skit that communicated recent developments at Nampak Wiegand Glass, including the refurbishment of one of the furnaces.

Three years ago, in October 2005, Nampak announced a 50:50 joint venture with Wiegand-Glas, one of Germany's most respected glass manufacturers. Valued at 18-million Euros, the transaction was underpinned by an agreement to invest R320-million in upgrading and enhancing the plant's production facilities and expanding some capacity. A three-year timeline was mapped out and almost to the day, Nampak unveiled what it had promised to do.

As part of the partnership, Wiegand-Glas deployed key personnel to the Roodekop plant to share technical knowledge and skills and equipped the local team with the tools required. Presently, the plant employs about 280 people and runs four shifts 24-hours a day, seven days a week.

Among the highlights on the plant tour were the refurbished furnace, high-tech quality inspection equipment and state-of-the-art palletisers and shrouders. The newly upgraded control room was another “must-see” and proved especially popular with customers as it afforded a bird's eye view of the whole operation. The manufacturing process was unpacked from beginning to end and technical experts were available to answer any questions.

According to Nampak Wiegand Glass Managing Director, Stoney Steenkamp, the plant is now running at world-class standards and is able to compete internationally. “We want to be a forerunner in the Nampak group and we're certainly making headway towards achieving that goal. What we've managed to achieve with our German partners has enabled us to turn the corner and enter an exciting new era in our history.”

In the future, Nampak Wiegand Glass plans to focus on developing opportunities for export, with a specific emphasis on Africa. The company also has its sights on becoming a preferred supplier at acceptable returns and improving levels of customer service and satisfaction. Internal initiatives aimed at instilling the company's vision, mission and values are an ongoing feature and remain an important leadership priority.

As a result of the refurbished furnace and other projects, the plant is exceeding its targets by running at efficiency levels of well over 80%. Key customers appear to be delighted, with no quality or performance issues reported over the past 12 months. Stoney is encouraged by these results. One of his key drivers is to maintain the momentum and keep building the success story.

Nampak's executive committee member responsible for metals and glass, Charles Bromley, says that the management and operational teams have put in a huge amount of time and effort to get Nampak Wiegand Glass in tip-top shape. Thanks to the refurbished furnace and aligned developments, the plant looks set to increase its annual capacity by at least 6 000 tons.

The customers who attended the “Back with a Vengeance” experience included representatives of Bavaria Breweries, Coca-Cola Sabco, Diageo, Heineken, Nambia Breweries, South African Breweries, Swartland Winery, The Company of Wine People and Tiger Brands.

After the plant tour, customers were transported in stretch limousines to a nearby hotel where they enjoyed lunch with the Nampak Wiegand Glass management team, members of the Nampak group executive committee and Wiegand Shareholders.

We look forward to “Back with a Vengeance II”, which Stoney promises won't be another 20-years in the making. In the meanwhile, he adds that his door is always open and that customers who missed the event are more than welcome to get in touch for their own private tour.

“At Nampak Wiegand Glass, we might not offer movie-style glamour 24/7, but we aim to ensure that our customers receive the red carpet treatment at every opportunity!”

Visit our PRESS OFFICE: At Nampak, Africa's largest packaging company, we offer the broadest product range of any packaging company in the world, manufacturing metals, glass, paper and plastics.- more....

[11 Nov 2008 11:30]

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